U.S. patent application number 12/239162 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-01 for video-on-demand method and system.
Invention is credited to Thomas SCHREIBER.
Application Number | 20100083321 12/239162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42059143 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100083321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SCHREIBER; Thomas |
April 1, 2010 |
VIDEO-ON-DEMAND METHOD AND SYSTEM
Abstract
A video-on-demand method for a system that is not an audiovisual
control entity, comprising: negotiating a different respective
contract with each of one or more audiovisual control entities,
wherein the respective contract with each of the one or more
respective audiovisual control entities obtains a right with
respect to each of a plurality of audiovisual works controlled by
the respective audiovisual control entity, to offer a sale of a
hard copy of the respective audiovisual work only when coupled with
a substantially immediate viewing of the respective audiovisual
work; receiving electronically information indicating a sale to a
subscriber of the hard copy of the respective audiovisual work
coupled with the substantially immediate viewing of the respective
audiovisual work; generating an electronic record of the sale; and
sending an instruction to a fulfillment entity to send a hard copy
of the respective audiovisual work to the subscriber.
Inventors: |
SCHREIBER; Thomas; (Pacific
Palisades, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Family ID: |
42059143 |
Appl. No.: |
12/239162 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/2543 20130101;
H04N 21/2547 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; H04N 21/47202 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/87 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173 |
Claims
1. A video-on-demand method for a system that is not an audiovisual
control entity, comprising: negotiating a different respective
contract with each of one or more audiovisual control entities,
wherein the respective contract with each of the one or more
respective audiovisual control entities obtains a right with
respect to each of a plurality of audiovisual works controlled by
the respective audiovisual control entity, to offer a sale of a
hard copy of the respective audiovisual work only when coupled with
a substantially immediate viewing of the respective audiovisual
work; receiving electronically information indicating a sale to a
subscriber of the hard copy of the respective audiovisual work
coupled with the substantially immediate viewing of the respective
audiovisual work; generating an electronic record of the sale; and
sending an instruction to a fulfillment entity to send a hard copy
of the respective audiovisual work to the subscriber.
2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the method is
operating a system that is not an audiovisual delivery entity, and
further comprising: negotiating a different respective contract
with each of one or more respective audiovisual delivery entities,
wherein the respective contract with respect to each of the one or
more respective audiovisual delivery entities provides a right to
offer to subscribers of the respective audiovisual delivery entity
a sale of the hard copy of the audiovisual work only if sold in
combination with a substantially immediate viewing of the
audiovisual work.
3. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
determining electronically if a hard copy of the audiovisual work
is available from one or more fulfillment entities within a period
of time; and preventing electronically the sale to a subscriber of
the hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with the
substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual work if the hard
copy of the audiovisual work is not available for fulfillment
within the period of time.
4. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
determining electronically from each of a plurality of fulfillment
entities one from the group of cost of the hard copy of the
audiovisual work and in-stock information for the audiovisual work;
and selecting one of the fulfillment entities to send the
instruction to provide the hard copy of the audiovisual work.
5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of the
audiovisual works were released for a first theatrical run some
period of time before the sale.
6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the substantially
immediate viewing is limited to a single viewing during an
immediate viewing availability period.
7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of the
audiovisual works were released for individual hard copy sales.
8. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising
accumulating sales of a plurality of audiovisual works over a
period of time; and wherein the sending step comprises generating
and sending information on the accumulated sales of the plurality
of audiovisual works to the fulfillment entity at one time.
9. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising: receiving
electronically a message indicating that the subscriber has
requested to buy a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with
the sale of a substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual
work; and sending electronically or having sent electronically a
message either approving or denying the sale of the hard copy and
the immediate viewing of the audiovisual work based on a
criterion.
10. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein the criterion is a
credit approval.
11. The method as defined in claim 8, further comprising: sending
the audiovisual work to a vendor to have copyprotect software added
to an electronic file containing the audiovisual work.
12. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising: accessing
electronically a database of audiovisual delivery subscribers and
determining other audiovisual works that may be of interest to the
subscriber based on a criterion.
13. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the criterion is one
or more audiovisual works viewed or purchased in the past by the
subscriber.
14. The method as defined in claim 2, further comprising: uploading
electronically to the audiovisual delivery entity an advertisement
for playing to one or more subscribers.
15. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
accumulating over a period of time information on sales of hard
copies of the audiovisual works coupled with an immediate viewing
of the audiovisual works; calculating electronically a monetary
amount owed to the audiovisual control entity based on the
information about the sales; and communicating monetary amount data
relating to the monetary amount owed to the audiovisual control
entity.
16. The method as defined in claim 2, further comprising:
accumulating over a period of time information on sales of hard
copies of the audiovisual works coupled with an immediate viewing
of the audiovisual works; calculating electronically a monetary
amount owed by the audiovisual delivery entity based on the
information about the sales; and communicating monetary amount data
relating to the monetary amount owed to the audiovisual delivery
entity.
17. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising: creating
an electronic log of sales of hard copies of the audiovisual works
coupled with an immediate viewing of audiovisual works; and
generating an electronic report based on the log.
18. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
maintaining or having maintained an electronic database containing
subscriber profiles, with each subscriber profile comprising a
plurality of parameters.
19. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work; and the Web page
configured to allow access and updating of an electronic profile of
the subscriber after appropriate authentication.
20. The method as defined in claim 19, further comprising the Web
page configured to allow access to a purchase history for the
subscriber after appropriate authentication.
21. The method as defined in claim 19, further comprising the web
page displaying a purchase indicator that allows a subscriber to
buy a sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with the
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work.
22. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising receiving
electronically one or more shipping addresses from a subscriber to
facilitate delivery of a gift of the hard copy of the audiovisual
work.
23. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing
electronically tracking data for display relating to delivery of
the hard copy of the audiovisual work.
24. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing
electronically an out-of-stock message to the subscriber.
25. The method as defined in claim 2, further comprising: receiving
electronically a list comprising a plurality of audiovisual works
now available for sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work
coupled with substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual
work substantially immediate viewing coupled with sales of hard
copies of the audiovisual works; and sending less than the entire
list of the audiovisual works now available to the audiovisual
delivery entity.
26. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality
of audiovisual control entities, with a different contract
negotiated with each of these plurality of audiovisual work control
entities; and wherein there are a plurality of audiovisual delivery
entities, with a different contract negotiated with each of these
audiovisual delivery entities.
27. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work; and the Web page
configured to provide information to permit activating an
electronic file disposed in a hard copy of the audiovisual
work.
28. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work; and the Web page
configured for the sale and download of an electronic copy of the
audiovisual work.
29. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work; and a purchase indicator
that allows a subscriber to buy the hard copy of the audiovisual
work coupled with the immediate viewing of the audiovisual
work.
30. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising agreeing
in the contract to provide to the audiovisual control entity a
right to purchase an ownership interest of a company operating the
system in accordance with the method.
31. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising: receiving
a signal indicating that the audiovisual work could not be viewed
during a viewing window time period; and cancelling electronically
a payment for the sale of the hard copy of the audiovisual work
coupled with an immediate viewing of the audiovisual work.
32. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising: receiving
electronically a designation of a format for the hard copy of the
audiovisual work; and including information on the designation of
the format in the instruction sent to the fulfillment entity.
33. A video-on-demand method that is not an audiovisual control
entity or an audiovisual delivery entity, comprising: negotiating a
different respective contract with each of one or more audiovisual
control entities, wherein the respective contract with each of the
one or more respective audiovisual control entities obtains a right
with respect to each of a plurality of audiovisual works controlled
by the respective audiovisual control entity, to offer a sale of a
hard copy of the respective audiovisual work only when coupled with
a substantially immediate viewing of the respective audiovisual
work; negotiating a different respective contract with each of one
or more respective audiovisual delivery entities, wherein the
respective contract for each of the one or more respective
audiovisual delivery entities provides a right to offer to
subscribers of the respective audiovisual delivery entity a sale of
the hard copy of the audiovisual work only if sold in combination
with a substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual work;
receiving electronically information indicating a sale to one of
the subscribers of one of the audiovisual delivery entities of the
sale of the hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with the
substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual work;
accumulating over a period of time information on sales of a hard
copy of one or more other audiovisual works controlled by the one
audiovisual control entity coupled with a substantially immediate
viewing of the one or more other audiovisual works; calculating
electronically a monetary amount owed to the one audiovisual
control entity based on the information about the sales;
communicating monetary amount data relating to the monetary amount
owed to the one audiovisual control entity; calculating
electronically a monetary amount owed by the audiovisual delivery
entity based on the information about the sales; and communicating
monetary amount data relating to the monetary amount owed to the
audiovisual delivery entity.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Historically, movie studios have staggered distribution
points--called "windows" in the industry--to maximize revenue. A
movie is generally released first to theaters, then several months
later on DVD. Weeks or months after that, the movie is released
through video-on-demand and on other platforms, with pay-per-view
and regular television release coming last. But significant
inefficiencies arise in selling copies of new movies to customers
and also selling video on demand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In one embodiment, a video-on-demand method for a system
that is not an audiovisual control entity is disclosed, comprising:
negotiating a different respective contract with each of one or
more audiovisual control entities, wherein the respective contract
with each of the one or more respective audiovisual control
entities obtains a right with respect to each of a plurality of
audiovisual works controlled by the respective audiovisual control
entity, to offer a sale of a hard copy of the respective
audiovisual work only when coupled with a substantially immediate
viewing of the respective audiovisual work; receiving
electronically information indicating a sale to a subscriber of the
hard copy of the respective audiovisual work coupled with the
substantially immediate viewing of the respective audiovisual work;
generating an electronic record of the sale; and sending an
instruction to a fulfillment entity to send a hard copy of the
respective audiovisual work to the subscriber. In one embodiment,
the instruction to the fulfillment entity may be sent
electronically.
[0003] In a further embodiment, the method is operating a system
that is not an audiovisual delivery entity, and further comprises:
negotiating a different respective contract with each of one or
more respective audiovisual delivery entities, wherein the
respective contract with respect to each of the one or more
respective audiovisual delivery entities provides a right to offer
to subscribers of the respective audiovisual delivery entity a sale
of the hard copy of the audiovisual work only if sold in
combination with a substantially immediate viewing of the
audiovisual work.
[0004] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises:
determining electronically if a hard copy of the audiovisual work
is available from one or more fulfillment entities within a period
of time; and preventing electronically the sale to a subscriber of
the hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with the
substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual work if the hard
copy of the audiovisual work is not available for fulfillment
within the period of time.
[0005] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprising:
determining electronically from each of a plurality of fulfillment
entities one from the group of cost of the hard copy of the
audiovisual work and in-stock information for the audiovisual work;
and selecting one of the fulfillment entities to send the
instruction to provide the hard copy of the audiovisual work.
[0006] In a yet further embodiment, the method is performed
relative to a plurality of the audiovisual works that were released
for a first theatrical run some period of time before the sale.
[0007] In a yet further embodiment, the substantially immediate
viewing is limited to a single viewing during an immediate viewing
availability period.
[0008] In a yet further embodiment, the method is performed only
after a plurality of the audiovisual works were released for
individual hard copy sales.
[0009] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises:
accumulating sales of a plurality of audiovisual works over a
period of time; and wherein the sending step comprises generating
and sending information on the accumulated sales of the plurality
of audiovisual works to the fulfillment entity at one time.
[0010] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: receiving
electronically a message indicating that the subscriber has
requested to buy a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with
the sale of a substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual
work; and sending electronically or having sent electronically a
message either approving or denying the sale of the hard copy and
the immediate viewing of the audiovisual work based on a criterion.
In one embodiment, the criterion is a credit approval.
[0011] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: sending
the audiovisual work to a vendor to have copyprotect software added
to an electronic file containing the audiovisual work.
[0012] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: accessing
electronically a database of audiovisual delivery subscribers and
determining other audiovisual works that may be of interest to the
subscriber based on a criterion. In one embodiment, the criterion
is one or more audiovisual works viewed or purchased in the past by
the subscriber.
[0013] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: uploading
electronically to the audiovisual delivery entity an advertisement
for playing to one or more subscribers.
[0014] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises:
accumulating over a period of time information on sales of hard
copies of the audiovisual works coupled with an immediate viewing
of the audiovisual works; calculating electronically a monetary
amount owed to the audiovisual control entity based on the
information about the sales; and communicating monetary amount data
relating to the monetary amount owed to the audiovisual control
entity.
[0015] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises:
accumulating over a period of time information on sales of hard
copies of the audiovisual works coupled with an immediate viewing
of the audiovisual works; calculating electronically a monetary
amount owed by the audiovisual delivery entity based on the
information about the sales; and communicating monetary amount data
relating to the monetary amount owed to the audiovisual delivery
entity.
[0016] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: creating
an electronic log of sales of hard copies of the audiovisual works
coupled with an immediate viewing of audiovisual works; and
generating an electronic report based on the log.
[0017] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises:
maintaining or having maintained or an electronic database
containing subscriber profiles, with each subscriber profile
comprising a plurality of parameters.
[0018] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises:
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work, with the Web page
configured to allow access and updating of an electronic profile of
the subscriber after appropriate authentication. In a yet further
embodiment, the Web page is configured to allow access
electronically to a purchase history for the subscriber after
appropriate authentication. In a yet further embodiment, the method
comprises: the web page displaying a purchase indicator that allows
a subscriber to buy a sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work
coupled with the immediate viewing of the audiovisual work.
[0019] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: receiving
electronically one or more shipping addresses from a subscriber to
facilitate delivery of a gift of the hard copy of the audiovisual
work. This information is then provided to the fulfillment
entity.
[0020] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: providing
electronically tracking data for display relating to delivery of
the hard copy of the audiovisual work.
[0021] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: providing
electronically an out-of-stock message to the subscriber.
[0022] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: receiving
electronically a list comprising a plurality of audiovisual works
now available for sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work
coupled with substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual
work substantially immediate viewing coupled with sales of hard
copies of the audiovisual works; and sending less than the entire
list of the audiovisual works now available to the audiovisual
delivery entity.
[0023] In a yet further embodiment, there are a plurality of
audiovisual control entities, with a different contract negotiated
with each of these plurality of audiovisual work control entities;
and there are a plurality of audiovisual delivery entities, with a
different contract negotiated with each of these audiovisual
delivery entities.
[0024] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises:
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work, with the Web page
configured to provide information to permit activating an
electronic file disposed in a hard copy of the audiovisual
work.
[0025] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises:
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work, with the Web page
configured for the sale and download of an electronic copy of the
audiovisual work.
[0026] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises:
maintaining or having maintained a Website, with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work; and a purchase indicator
that allows a subscriber to buy the hard copy of the audiovisual
work coupled with the immediate viewing of the audiovisual
work.
[0027] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: agreeing
in the contract to provide to the audiovisual control entity a
right to purchase an ownership interest of a company operating the
system in accordance with the method.
[0028] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: receiving
a signal indicating that the audiovisual work could not be viewed
during a viewing window time period; and cancelling electronically
a payment for the sale of the hard copy of the audiovisual work
coupled with an immediate viewing of the audiovisual work.
[0029] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises: receiving
electronically a designation of a format for the hard copy of the
audiovisual work; and including information on the designation of
the format in the instruction sent to the fulfillment entity.
[0030] In a further embodiment, a video-on-demand method for
performance by an entity that is not an audiovisual control entity
or an audiovisual delivery entity, comprising: negotiating a
different respective contract with each of one or more audiovisual
control entities, wherein the respective contract with each of the
one or more respective audiovisual control entities obtains a right
with respect to each of a plurality of audiovisual works controlled
by the respective audiovisual control entity, to offer a sale of a
hard copy of the respective audiovisual work only when coupled with
a substantially immediate viewing of the respective audiovisual
work; negotiating a different respective contract with each of one
or more respective audiovisual delivery entities, wherein the
respective contract for each of the one or more respective
audiovisual delivery entities provides a right to offer to
subscribers of the respective audiovisual delivery entity a sale of
the hard copy of the audiovisual work only if sold in combination
with a substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual work;
receiving electronically information indicating a sale to one of
the subscribers of one of the audiovisual delivery entities of the
sale of the hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with the
substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual work;
accumulating over a period of time information on sales of a hard
copy of one or more other audiovisual works controlled by the one
audiovisual control entity coupled with a substantially immediate
viewing of the one or more other audiovisual works; calculating
electronically a monetary amount owed to the one audiovisual
control entity based on the information about the sales;
communicating monetary amount data relating to the monetary amount
owed to the one audiovisual control entity; calculating
electronically a monetary amount owed by the audiovisual delivery
entity based on the information about the sales; and communicating
monetary amount data relating to the monetary amount owed to the
audiovisual delivery entity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a further embodiment of the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment for
implementing an aspect of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an order life cycle for one
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Definitions:
[0036] "Audiovisual" means a audiovisual work, television program
or other moving picture with audio work.
[0037] "Audiovisual delivery entity" or "AV delivery entity" means
a cable, satellite, Internet or other audiovisual delivery system
involving electronic transport of a signal containing the
audiovisual work.
[0038] "Audiovisual control entity" or "AV control entity" means a
audiovisual work studio, audiovisual work or television producer,
Internet entity, or any other entity that is capable of
transferring a right to sell of a hard copy of the audiovisual work
coupled with a substantially immediate viewing of the
audiovisual.
[0039] "Substantially immediate viewing" means immediately after a
sale has been approved or within a short period of time after the
sale has been approved, such as 30 seconds or one minute or 5
minutes after the sale approval.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of one
embodiment of the invention is illustrated. A system 100 is
provided for negotiating a different respective contract with each
of one or more audiovisual control entities 110, wherein the
respective contract with each of the one or more respective
audiovisual control entities obtains a right with respect to each
of a plurality of audiovisual works controlled by the respective
audiovisual control entity, to offer a sale of a hard copy of the
respective audiovisual work only when coupled with a substantially
immediate viewing of the respective audiovisual work. The system
100 may be implemented in one embodiment by one or more computers.
By "different" contracts is meant that the contract may differ by
as little as different parties with substantially the same terms,
or may have substantially different terms. The audiovisual control
entity would be an entity that is capable of transferring a right
for a substantially immediate viewing of an audiovisual work
coupled with a sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work, such as
a movie or television studio, an audiovisual work or television
producer, an Internet entity, or any other entity with such rights.
FIG. 1 further includes one or more audiovisual (AV) delivery
entities 120, and one or more audiovisual (AV) fulfillment entities
130.
[0041] A flowchart for one embodiment for operating the invention
is illustrated in FIG. 2. An operation 200 of negotiating a
different respective contract with each of one or more audiovisual
control entities 110 is shown in the figure. This negotiation
operation may be implemented by computer in accordance with certain
prescribed parameters, or may be implemented manually via a
face-to-face negotiation of contract terms between the company
operating the system and the AV control entity.
[0042] Referring to block 210, this comprises the operation of
receiving electronically information indicating a sale to a
subscriber of a hard copy of a respective audiovisual work coupled
with the substantially immediate viewing of the respective
audiovisual work. In one embodiment, this may comprise an
electronic message from a cable company, satellite company, or
Internet or other audiovisual delivery system 120 indicating such
sale and identifying the audiovisual work. In another embodiment,
the system may comprise an audiovisual delivery system 120. In such
an embodiment, the information received electronically may comprise
electronic signals received from a subscriber indicating an
acceptance of an offer to purchase a hard copy of the respective
audiovisual work coupled with a substantially immediate viewing of
the respective audiovisual work.
[0043] Referring to block 220, this comprises the operation of
sending electronically or manually an instruction to a fulfillment
entity 130 to send a hard copy of the respective audiovisual work
to the subscriber.
[0044] In one embodiment, the method may be operated by a system
that is an audiovisual delivery entity. In a different embodiment,
the method may be operated by an entity that is not an audiovisual
delivery entity and may further comprise negotiating a different
(at least in sense of different parties) respective contract with
each of one or more respective audiovisual delivery entities,
wherein the respective contract for each of the one or more
respective audiovisual delivery entities provides a right to offer
to subscribers of the respective audiovisual delivery entity a sale
of a hard copy of an audiovisual work only if sold in combination
with a substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual work.
[0045] FIG. 4 represents the high level architecture for one
embodiment of the system 100. The system 100 in one embodiment may
be implemented using object-oriented design patterns. For example,
the system may be developed in Java J2EE technologies using JDK 1.5
version. The system 100 may use MySQL 5.0 and JBoss 4.0.5 as
database and application servers, respectively. The JBoss
implementation may be clustered on two separate nodes for load
balancing and failover using Apache mod_jk. Web service interfaces
may use the Axis 1.2 stack (an open source web services stack).
[0046] The logical design for the system 100 may comprise in one
embodiment, a presentation layer, a Web services layer, an aspect
layer, an application layer and a data services layer. In one
embodiment, the presentation layer may comprise a presentation
layer using JSP 2.0 (Java Server Pages) and use Struts 1.3.5 as an
underlying MVC (model view controller) framework. All of the web
interfaces may be built in to this layer. All secure interfaces may
use a basic user name and password authentication and may in one
embodiment use HTTPS as the communication protocol.
[0047] The Web services layer for the system may use in one
embodiment Axis 1.2 for Web services interfaces deployed on the
JBoss application server. Services such as MSO Order, Order status;
eWallet to name a few, may be packaged and made fully
hot-deployable. All Web service interactions between the system
100, the audiovisual delivery entity, and a payment service
provider may, in one embodiment, use message authentication code
(MAC) and password based sender/recipient authentication for
message authentication.
[0048] The aspect layer for the system 100 in one embodiment may be
based on the Aspect-Oriented Programming (a type of open source
programming) model, and may comprise a logging function and an
auditing function. The system 100 may use Log4j 1.2.9 (an open
source logging tool) and may have at least the following appenders
used at appropriate places.
[0049] Entry in log file (Fileappenders)
[0050] Entry in DB log table (JDBCappenders)
[0051] Email Alert (SMTPappenders)
[0052] All messages send and received by system 100 from AV
delivery entity sources, subscribers, and fulfillment entities may
be logged for further auditing and reporting functions in a
separate database. Important events such as order status changes
may be logged with a timestamp for auditing and reporting
purposes.
[0053] The application layer includes the business logic and may
contain the core system 100 API. Transactions of real time order
processing, authentication, AV fulfillment batch processing may be
handled in this layer using data transfer objects (DTOs). The
application layer may use the aspect layer for logging and auditing
functions.
[0054] The data services layer stores interactions with a database
(not shown) for the system and may be comprised of Java DAOs (data
access objects). The data services layers maintains consistency of
interactions made to the database. Note that a J2EE architecture,
which produces one or more SQL queries for each data object access,
may saturate the database server in a transaction-intensive
application. This saturation bottleneck may be addressed by
implementing an object caching mechanism for master entity objects
such as customer and credit card.
[0055] Note that the system 100 further includes a message
generator module that generates one or more messages. Messages may,
for example, be in the form of e-mail, facsimile, text message or
other form of communication.
[0056] Additionally, the system 100 may include a reporting system
module for monitoring and generating reports on various aspects of
the operation. Additionally, the system may include a display
interface with local and/or remote monitoring. Additionally, the
system 100 may include communications and miscellaneous interfaces.
The communications interface could connect to one or more
electronic communications networks.
[0057] Some of the main data flows in the system comprise:
[0058] Fulfillment Entity Data import data;
[0059] Pre-authorization web site data to pre-approve a payment
vehicle;
[0060] Real-time Order Processing data;
[0061] Batch order processing data
[0062] Check Order status data;
[0063] Payment Settlement data;
[0064] Administration activities data.
[0065] i. Performance and Scalability
[0066] HTTP session replication is used with JBoss Application
Server (an open source application server) in one embodiment. In
the event that one of the nodes in the system crashes, another node
in the cluster will be able to recover and run the application.
Session state replication may be configured and enabled as a
default option in JBoss deployment. Once enabled, the application
and its session state are replicated across all JBoss instances in
the cluster which would take care of fail over. Load balancing may
be achieved using Apache Mod_jk (an open source library that
supports clustering) with sessions.
[0067] ii. Clustering
[0068] The system cluster in one embodiment may have two nodes. In
a JBoss cluster, a node is a JBoss server instance. To build a
cluster, several JBoss instances are grouped together. Nodes can be
added to or removed from clusters at any time. When the node is
started, the cluster is created. A cluster is removed when all of
its nodes are removed. The system 100 on JBoss may include
clustering support. For the Nodes to form a different cluster a
Partition name of PHEPartition may be used, with nodes with the
same partition name joining the PHEPartition cluster. As per the
load on the system, different clusters on a same network with
individual names and partitionconfig elements may be used to enable
the system 100 to scale up with minimal code changes to the
application.
[0069] iii. Load Balancing and Fail Over
[0070] A system 100 load-balancer tracks HTTP requests and,
depending on the request to which it is linked, dispatches the
request to the appropriate node. The load balancer is required to
process all requests and dispatch them to server nodes in the
cluster. The load balancer is typically part of the cluster. It
understands the cluster configuration as well as failover policies.
As Load-balancing is not handled by JBoss itself, it uses Apache
web server and Mod_jk plug-in software. Mod_jk is designed to allow
forward requests from Apache to a Servlet container (JBoss
Instances). The system 100 may use an Apache web server configured
with mod_jk to detect and send requests to the cluster. This would
enable requests to be balanced across the nodes in the cluster in
the Partition name, PHEPartition. Configured Apache would recognize
if any node is dead in the cluster, and will stop sending requests
to that node and forward those requests to other live nodes in the
cluster.
[0071] iv. Transactions
[0072] In one embodiment, the system 100 may use a transaction
oriented system to make use of XA transactions (transactions
generated by MySQL) available in a MySQL engine. An XA interface to
a MySQL server comprises SQL statements that begin with an XA
keyword. Currently, among MySQL Connectors, MySQL Connector/J 5.0.0
supports XA directly (by means of a class interface that handles
the XA SQL statement interface for client). XA supports distributed
transactions; that is, the ability to allow multiple separate
transactional resources to participate in a global transaction. A
global transaction involves several actions that are transactional
in themselves, but that all must either complete successfully as a
group, or all must be rolled back as a group. In essence, this
extends ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, durable)
properties "up a level" so that multiple ACID transactions can be
executed in concert as components of a global operation that also
has ACID properties. For a distributed transaction, a SERIALIZABLE
isolation level is required to achieve ACID properties and a
REPEATABLE READ for a non-distributed transaction.
[0073] The system 100 in one embodiment acts as an integration
point that combines a messaging service with an RDBMS (relational
database management system). The system 100 may be designed to
ensure that transactions dealing with message sending, retrieval,
and processing such as order status, order settlement, order
acknowledgements, to name a few, also involve a transactional
database, and all happen in a global transaction like a
"transactional email."
[0074] v. Auditing
[0075] In one embodiment, the system 100 may log all important
events in the flow for auditing purposes. This may come above
system logging activities. By way of example, a Log4J JDBCAppender
(a Java database connection) may be used for auditing purposes.
[0076] 2. Data Design
[0077] a. Data Entities
[0078] The system 100 may be supported in one embodiment by core
and log data entities. Core data entities store user and
transactional data that are carried in the system. LOG data
entities store all messages requested and received between the
system 100 and AV delivery entity systems, subscriber systems, and
fulfillment entities systems with a time and date stamp. These log
tables may have the attributes of the respective messages and need
not contain any relations among them. The following are the high
level data entities of Core.
[0079] i. Organization Data Entity
[0080] Organization entity stores information about the
organizations participating in the system 100, e.g., the
audiovisual delivery entities, payment service providers, banks,
fulfillment entities, and audiovisual control entitites.
[0081] ii. AV Delivery Data Entity
[0082] AV delivery data entity stores information about the
particular AV delivery entities participating in the system 100,
who are other than subscribers. AV delivery data entities cannot
exist in the system with out affiliation to an AV delivery entity
organization.
[0083] iii. Roles Data Entity
[0084] The Role Entity stores information about roles that can be
assigned to AV deliveries in the system to facilitate role-based
access to various levels of the system. Roles are organization type
specific such as audiovisual delivery entity specific admin and
system admin.
[0085] iv. Subscriber Data Entity
[0086] The Customer entity stores information about the customers
placing orders in the system. Customers are audiovisual delivery
entity specific and are linked to an organization.
[0087] v. AV Fulfillment Data Entity
[0088] An AV fulfillment data entity stores information about the
data transmitted from the AV fulfillment entity 130 to the system
100. Data in this entity is maintained AS-IS received from the AV
fulfillment entity 130 and forms the basis for the system product.
AV fulfillment data in one embodiment would come with WMS_ID as a
unique identifier of the product in the system. Note that the term
"product" comprises a particular embodiment of an audiovisual
title. For example, for a given movie, there may be a version 1
which is rated, a version 2 which is unrated, a collector's
edition, a director's cut edition, a wide screen edition, a
standard screen edition, an HD DVD edition, a BlueRay Edition, to
name a few. The term "product" identifies one of those versions or
editions.
[0089] vi. System Product Data Entity
[0090] The system Product entity stores information about system
product catalog. Data for the Product data entity is derived from
the AV Fulfillment Data with additional attributes filled in by
appropriate AV delivery entities. The system Product would come
with a system Product ID. WMS_ID of the AV fulfillment entity would
be optionally propagated to the system product data item.
[0091] vii. System Bundle Data Entity
[0092] The system Bundle data entity would store information about
bundles created in system product. There can be many titles created
as a bundle and would have bundle_Id as a unique Id. The bundle
concept is for aggregating orders for one customer over the course
of a time period, e.g., a day, to facilitate implementation of a
shipping discount. For example, if one person ordered three DVD's
in three separate order during the course of a day, these orders
would be bundled together and a reduced shipping charge would be
applied.
[0093] viii. AV Delivery Entity Product Data Entity
[0094] The AV Delivery Entity Product data entity stores
information about the bundles. The AV Delivery Entity Product data
Entity stores additional information such as audiovisual delivery
entity Price, lock status, etc.
[0095] ix. AV Delivery Entity Order Data Entity
[0096] The AV Delivery Entity Order entity stores information about
the audiovisual delivery entity order. An AV Delivery Entity Order
forms the main transaction entity in the system. All orders are AV
delivery entity specific and are linked to the customer and AV
delivery entity product.
[0097] x. AV Delivery Entity Order Batch Data Entity
[0098] The AV Delivery Entity Order Batch Data Entity stores
information about the batch data that is being transmitted to the
AV fulfillment entity 130 with a time and date stamp.
[0099] xi. AV Delivery Entity Order Response Data Entity
[0100] The AV Delivery Entity Order Response Data Entity stores
information about a response message from the AV fulfillment entity
130. This entity would be linked to the AV delivery entity Order,
batch and subscriber.
[0101] xii. Other Data Entities
[0102] Apart from above data entities, entities such as title,
credit card, order detail entities may also be created.
[0103] Referring now to FIG. 5, an operation flowchart for an order
life cycle in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is
shown. Block 500 comprises the operation of receiving an electronic
signal initiating an order. In one embodiment, a subscriber of an
audiovisual delivery entity 120 indicates that he/she wishes to
purchase a hard copy of an audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work. For example, the
subscriber may press a button or click on an icon on a screen with
their remote control to commit to purchase a DVD of a movie coupled
with an immediate viewing of the movie. A signal indicating this
purchase is received by the system in block 500. Note that in one
embodiment, the receipt of a signal indicating a sale means that a
selection of an audiovisual work has been received by the AV
delivery entity or a third party operating the system, a
confirmation of the subscriber identity making the selection, for
example a PIN, is received, a signal indicating that a "purchase"
button has been pressed, and a confirmation signal of the purchase
has been received by the subscriber pushing on or clicking on the
purchase button again.
[0104] Block 502 records the order for the hard copy of the
specific audiovisual work coupled with an immediate viewing of the
audiovisual work. In one embodiment, a request from a payment
service such as PayPal.TM. or a credit or debit card company is
initiated. In another embodiment, the credit card, debit card or
other payment vehicle is already on file in the system and is
accessed.
[0105] In block 504 the credit card or other payment vehicle is
evaluated by the system or a third party, or the payment
information and subscriber history is evaluated in the system
records, and based on this evaluation, the order is either approved
or declined. Such as evaluation may comprise receiving a response
from the credit or debit card company that a particular card it
valid and that they will honor it. In some instances, it may
include a determination that there is a sufficient balance in an
account to cover the transaction.
[0106] In block 506 after an approval, the order status is updated
in the system database as "approved." An electronic message of
approval is sent to the AV delivery entity 120 in the case where
the system 100 is separate from the AV delivery entity 120. In
block 510, the AV viewing is authorized in the AV delivery system
120. Alternatively, if the AV delivery system 120 does not receive
an approval message in a certain period of time, it times out and
the order is cancelled in block 512.
[0107] In block 514 if the order is declined, a message is sent to
the AV delivery entity 120 declining the order and an electronic
message is sent or displayed to the subscriber notifying of the
declined order.
[0108] In block 520, an order acknowledgement communication, such
as an email, is transmitted to the subscriber. Additionally,
information is electronically recorded for use in calculating a
royalty to be paid to the AV control entity.
[0109] In block 522 the system 100 accumulates orders over a period
of time, batches the orders, and then transmits the orders in batch
to the AV fulfillment entity 130 to initiate fulfillment of the DVD
or other hard copy to the subscriber. Alternatively, each order may
be individually transmitted to the AV fulfillment entity 130 as
they are received.
[0110] In block 524 the AV fulfillment entity 130 evaluates the
received orders and determines if the hard copy of the audiovisual
work is on hand in inventory or is easily accessible. Block 526
represents the AV work being in inventory or easily accessible, and
the AV work, e.g., a DVD, is shipped out. In block 532, the order
status in the system database is then updated to "shipped."
[0111] Block 528 indicates that the AV work is not in inventory or
accessible, and the AV work is placed on back order. In block 534,
the order status in the system database is then updated to
"backorder," and an email or other electronic communication or a
letter is sent notify the subscriber of the backorder. Block 530
indicates another type of problem which prevents the fulfillment of
the hard copy.
[0112] Block 540 comprises the system 100 requesting payment from
the payment service where that payment option is being used. Block
542 comprises an attempt to place a charge against a credit card
account or some other payment vehicle. Block 544 comprises an
electronic update to the database to indicate that a payment status
is "approved." Alternatively, block 546 comprises an electronic
update to the database to indicate that a payment status is
"declined."
[0113] In block 550 an invoice is created by the AV fulfillment
entity 130. In block 552 the system 100 reconciles electronically
the AV fulfillment invoice with the order. In block 554 for the
case where there is an reconciliation, the order status in the
system database is electronically updated to "reconciled," and a
record of the actual AV work shipped is made, along with shipping
costs and the Av fulfillment entity fee.
[0114] In block 560 the system 100 evaluates and recaps the orders
received during a time period, e.g., a day, and generates
statistics for that time period. In block 562 an electronic
dashboard is updated with the order results from the period. An
order recap report may be generated an made accessible on line via
a PDF download, or may be transmitted electronically or mailed.
[0115] In a further embodiment, a single payment vehicle approval
process is not used as a main process where the subscriber has an
account in good standing. Rather, audiovisual delivery entity
subscriber purchases of the DVD and video-on-demand combination are
accumulated and processed and/or forwarded for processing in
batch.
[0116] In one embodiment, Orders may be submitted via SOAP (web
service) calls to the system 100. The order submission interface in
the system may synchronously process the order and return a SOAP
response indicating the success or failure of the order acceptance.
Customer attributes received from the audiovisual delivery entity
120 would be saved to the database in the system 100.
[0117] In a further embodiment, the method comprises negotiating a
different (at least in sense of different parties) respective
contract with each of one or more respective audiovisual delivery
entities, wherein the respective contract with respect to each of
the one or more respective audiovisual delivery entities provides a
right to offer to subscribers of the respective audiovisual
delivery entity a sale of the hard copy of the audiovisual work
only if sold in combination with a substantially immediate viewing
of the audiovisual work.
[0118] In a further embodiment, the method may comprise determining
electronically if a hard copy of the audiovisual work is available
from one or more fulfillment entities within a period of time; and,
preventing electronically the sale to a subscriber of the hard copy
of the audiovisual work coupled with the substantially immediate
viewing of the audiovisual work if the hard copy of the audiovisual
work is not available for fulfillment within the period of
time.
[0119] In a yet further embodiment, the method may comprise
operating the method after a plurality of the audiovisual works
were released for a first theatrical run some period of time before
the sale.
[0120] In a yet further embodiment, the method may comprise
limiting the substantially immediate viewing to a single viewing
during an immediate viewing availability period.
[0121] In a yet further embodiment, the method is operated when a
plurality of the audiovisual works are released for individual hard
copy sales.
[0122] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises
accumulating sales of a plurality of audiovisual works over a
period of time; and generating and sending information on the
accumulated sales of the plurality of audiovisual works to the
fulfillment entity 130 at one time.
[0123] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises receiving
electronically a message indicating that the subscriber has
requested to buy a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with
the sale of a substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual
work; and sending electronically or having sent electronically a
message either approving or denying the sale of the hard copy and
the immediate viewing of the audiovisual work based on a criterion.
In one embodiment, the criterion is a credit approval. In another
embodiment, the criterion comprises a rating on a potential of the
subscriber for unauthorized copying.
[0124] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises sending
the audiovisual work to a vendor to have copyprotect software added
to an electronic file containing the audiovisual work.
[0125] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises accessing
electronically a database of audiovisual delivery subscribers and
determining other audiovisual works that may be of interest to the
subscriber based on a criterion. In one embodiment, the criterion
is one or more audiovisual works viewed or purchased in the past by
the subscriber.
[0126] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises uploading
electronically to the audiovisual delivery entity an advertisement
for playing to one or more subscribers.
[0127] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises
accumulating over a period of time information on sales of hard
copies of the audiovisual works coupled with an immediate viewing
of the audiovisual works; calculating electronically a monetary
amount owed to the audiovisual control entity based on the
information about the sales; and communicating monetary amount data
relating to the monetary amount owed to the audiovisual control
entity.
[0128] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises
accumulating over a period of time information on sales of hard
copies of the audiovisual works coupled with an immediate viewing
of audiovisual works; calculating electronically a monetary amount
owed by the audiovisual delivery entity based on the information
about the sales; and communicating monetary amount data relating to
the monetary amount owed.
[0129] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises creating
an electronic log of sales of hard copies of the audiovisual works
coupled with an immediate viewing of the audiovisual works; and
generating and sending or allowing access to an electronic report
based on the log.
[0130] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises
maintaining or having maintained an electronic database containing
subscriber profiles, with each subscriber profile comprising a
plurality of parameters. By way of example, the subscriber profile
may comprise a subscriber name, shipping address, credit card, PIN,
audiovisual format, language, to name a few.
[0131] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work; with the Web page
configured to allow access and updating of an electronic profile of
the subscriber after appropriate authentication. In one embodiment,
a customized Web page is generated for each subscriber displaying
audiovisual works that may be of interest to that subscriber, and a
past history of purchases. The subscriber may be identified to the
system for example by his ID and password. In one embodiment, the
Web page and list of audiovisual works and purchase history may be
generated in immediate response to the subscriber connecting in to
the system server.
[0132] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises the Web
page displaying a purchase indicator that allows a subscriber to
buy a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an immediate
viewing of the audiovisual work.
[0133] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises receiving
electronically one or more shipping addresses from a subscriber to
facilitate delivery of a gift of the hard copy of the audiovisual
work.
[0134] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises providing
electronically tracking data for display relating to delivery of
the hard copy of the audiovisual work to the subscriber or
another.
[0135] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises providing
electronically an out-of-stock message to the subscriber.
[0136] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises
determining electronically from each of a plurality of fulfillment
entities one from the group of cost of the hard copy of the
audiovisual work and in-stock information for the audiovisual work;
and selecting one of the fulfillment entities to send the
instruction to provide the hard copy of the audiovisual work.
[0137] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises receiving
electronically a list comprising a plurality of audiovisual works
now available for sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work
coupled with a substantially immediate viewing of the audiovisual
work; and sending electronically less than the entire list of the
audiovisual works now available to the audiovisual delivery
entity.
[0138] In a yet further embodiment, there are a plurality of
audiovisual work control entities, with a different contract
negotiated with each of these plurality of audiovisual work control
entities; and wherein there are a plurality of cable and/or
satellite AV delivery entities, with a different contract
negotiated with each of these cable or satellite entities.
[0139] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work; and with the Web page
configured to provide information to permit activating an
electronic file disposed in a hard copy of the audiovisual
work.
[0140] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work; and the Web page
configured for the sale and download of an electronic copy of the
audiovisual work.
[0141] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises
maintaining or having maintained a Website with one or more Web
pages displaying a plurality of audiovisual works available for a
sale of a hard copy of the audiovisual work coupled with an
immediate viewing of the audiovisual work; and a purchase indicator
that allows a subscriber to buy the sale of a hard copy of the
audiovisual work coupled with the immediate viewing of the
audiovisual work.
[0142] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises receiving
a signal indicating that the audiovisual work could not be viewed
during a viewing window time period; and cancelling electronically
a payment for the sale of the hard copy of the audiovisual work
coupled with an immediate viewing of the audiovisual work. Note
that the signal indicating that the audiovisual work could be
viewed may be caused by a technical problem at the AV delivery
entity, or in some embodiments, by a technical problem with the
subscriber's viewing equipment. The cancellation may further
include a cancellation of the order of the hard copy to the AV
fulfillment entity.
[0143] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises receiving
electronically a designation of a format for the hard copy of the
audiovisual work; and including information on the designation of
the format in the instruction sent to the fulfillment entity.
[0144] In a yet further embodiment, the method comprises agreeing
in the contract to provide to the audiovisual control entity a
right to purchase an ownership interest of a company operating the
system in accordance with the method.
[0145] Referring to FIG. 3, a further embodiment of the invention
is disclosed. Block 300 comprises negotiating a different
respective contract with each of one or more audiovisual control
entities, wherein the respective contract with each of the one or
more respective audiovisual control entities obtains a right with
respect to each of a plurality of audiovisual works controlled by
the respective audiovisual control entity, to offer a sale of a
hard copy of the respective audiovisual work only when coupled with
a substantially immediate viewing of the respective audiovisual
work.
[0146] Block 310 comprises negotiating a different respective
contract with each of one or more respective audiovisual delivery
entities, wherein the respective contract for each of the one or
more respective audiovisual delivery entities provides a right to
offer to subscribers of the respective audiovisual delivery entity
a sale of the hard copy of the audiovisual work only if sold in
combination with a substantially immediate viewing of the
audiovisual work.
[0147] Block 320 comprises receiving electronically information
indicating a sale to one of the subscribers of one of the
audiovisual delivery entities of the sale of the hard copy of the
audiovisual work coupled with the substantially immediate viewing
of the audiovisual work.
[0148] Block 330 comprises accumulating over a period of time
information on sales of a hard copy of one or more other
audiovisual works controlled by the one audiovisual control entity
coupled with a substantially immediate viewing of the one or more
other audiovisual works.
[0149] Block 340 comprises calculating electronically a monetary
amount owed to the one audiovisual control entity based on the
information about the sales.
[0150] Block 350 comprises communicating monetary amount data
relating to the monetary amount owed to the one audiovisual control
entity.
[0151] Block 360 comprises calculating electronically a monetary
amount owed by the audiovisual delivery entity based on the
information about the sales.
[0152] Block 370 comprises communicating monetary amount data
relating to the monetary amount owed to the audiovisual delivery
entity.
[0153] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention
may be practiced in network computing environments with many types
of computer system configurations, including personal computers,
hand-held devices, mobile telephones, multi-processor systems,
microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network
PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, to name a few. The
invention may also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by local and remote
processing devices that are linked (either by hardwired links,
wireless links, or by a combination of hardwired or wireless links)
through a communications network. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules may be located in both local and
remote memory storage devices.
[0154] An exemplary system for implementing portions of the
invention includes a general purpose or special purpose computing
device, including a processing unit, a system memory, and a system
bus that couples various system components including the system
memory to the processing unit. The system memory may include read
only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The computing
device may also include a magnetic hard disk drive for reading from
and writing to a magnetic hard disk, a magnetic disk drive for
reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk, and an
optical disk drive for reading from or writing to removable optical
disk such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM or other optical media. The drives
and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile
storage of computer-executable instructions, data structures,
program modules and other data for the computing device.
[0155] Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also
include computer-readable media for carrying or having
computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon,
also known as software. Such computer-readable media can be any
available media, which can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation,
such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM,
CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or
other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be
used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of
computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can
be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.
Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example,
instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer,
special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to
perform a certain function or group of functions.
Computer-executable instructions may also be properly termed
"software" as known by those of skill in the art.
[0156] Program code or software means comprising one or more
program modules may be stored on the hard disk, magnetic disk,
optical disk, ROM or RAM, and may include an operating system, one
or more application or software programs, other program modules,
and program data. In some embodiments, the program(s) may be
deployed and accessible on the Internet and operate within Web
browsers.
[0157] Embodiments of the invention may operate in a networked
environment using logical connections to one or more computers
having processors. Logical connections may include a local area
network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN) that are presented here
by way of example and not limitation. Such networking environments
are commonplace in office-wide or enterprise-wide computer
networks, intranets (a network belonging to an organization,
usually a corporation, accessible only by the organization's
members, employees, or others with authorization). An intranet's
Web sites look and act just like any other Web sites. Like the
Internet itself, intranets are used to share information.
[0158] Embodiments of the invention have been described in the
general context of method steps which may be implemented in one
embodiment by a program product including machine-executable
instructions, such as program code, for example in the form of
program modules executed by machines in networked environments.
Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,
components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or
implement particular data types. Multi-threaded applications may be
used, for example, based on Java or C++. Machine-executable
instructions, associated data structures, and program modules
represent examples of program code for executing steps of the
methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such
executable instructions or associated data structures represent
examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions
described in such steps.
[0159] It should be noted that although the flow charts provided
herein show a specific order of method steps, it is understood that
the order of these steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two
or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial
concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and
hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. It is understood
that all such variations are within the scope of the invention.
Likewise, software and web implementations of the present invention
could be accomplished with programming techniques with rule based
logic and other logic to accomplish the various database searching
steps, correlation steps, comparison steps and decision steps. It
should also be noted that the word "component" as used herein and
in the claims is intended to encompass implementations using one or
more lines of software code, and/or hardware implementations,
and/or manual operations.
[0160] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of
the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative,
not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
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